NEW YORK (AP) — Beyonce presented Colin Kaepernick with Sports Illustrated’s Muhammad Ali Legacy Award on Tuesday night, and Kaepernick promised that “with or without the NFL’s platform, I will continue to work for the people.”

Beyonce was brought out as a surprise presenter by comedian Trevor Noah. She said she was “proud and humbled” to present the award.

“Colin took action with no fear of consequence or repercussion,” Beyonce said. “Only hope to change the world for the better. To change perception, to change the way we treat each other. Especially people of color.”

Last year’s Ali Award winner, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, called Kaepernick a “worthy recipient” during a video tribute.

“He fully embraced the risk to his career in order to remind Americans of the systemic racism that was denying African Americans their opportunities to equal education, jobs, health and even their lives,” Abdul-Jabbar said.

Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem last season to protest racial inequality and police brutality. The demonstration sparked a wave of protests by NFL players during the anthem that repeatedly have been denounced by President Donald Trump.

Kaepernick parted ways with the San Francisco 49ers in March and hasn’t been signed by another team. He filed a grievance against the NFL in October alleging that he remains unsigned as a result of collusion by owners following his protests.

He spoke Tuesday about continuing Ali’s legacy for fighting social injustice, saying the boxing great “mentored me without ever meeting me.”

“The footprints he leaves are large,” Kaepernick said, “and his life is and has been a multi-textured tapestry that is rich in love, wisdom, life lessons and human kindness. I can only hope that I’m taking steps toward walking on the footsteps that he has left behind for the world to follow.”

Kaepernick skipped the red carpet prior to the show and was not available for questions. The awards show will be broadcast Friday night on NBC Sports Network.

Kaepernick also recently was honored by the ACLU of Southern California with the Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award and was named GQ magazine’s “Citizen of the Year” for his activism, which included pledging $1 million to “organizations working in oppressed communities.”

On Thursday, November 16, representatives from the AdvoCare Foundation, including AdvoCare founding family members, partnered with REAL School Gardens to roll up their sleeves and rejuvenate the garden at the Charles Rice Learning Center in south Dallas.

This comes after the AdvoCare Foundation, made a $25,000 donation to REAL School Gardens as part of its 2017 beneficiary program. The contribution was given with an official check presentation.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Stephen Curry will miss a minimum of two weeks after an MRI exam on his injured right ankle Tuesday revealed a sprain.

The Golden State Warriors say their leading scorer and two-time league MVP will be re-evaluated in two weeks. That means Curry is out for Wednesday night’s game in his hometown of Charlotte, where the MRI took place.

Curry stepped on E’Twaun Moore’s foot and landed awkwardly on the ankle while going for a late steal in a 125-115 comeback win Monday night at New Orleans and left the arena using crutches and wearing a walking boot. He scored 31 points before the injury.

DALLAS — Students who wish to begin attending one of Dallas ISD’s innovative magnet programs or transformation schools for the 2018-2019 school year are encouraged to apply online now. Applications are due no later than Wednesday, Jan. 31.

The district is home to some of the nation’s top-rated magnet schools. Find a list of magnets here. Students who attend our magnets meet certain eligibility requirements. Learn more and begin the application process here.

Transformation schools are designed to provide a “best-fit school” to students that aligns with a child’s specific interests, aspirations and preferred learning style. The programs are similar to magnets, but do not have an academic entry requirement. Learn more and begin the application process here.

Chris Bennett, the co-publisher of The Seattle Medium, challenges the Black community to support Colin Kaepernick (pictured) and current NFL players that continue to protest police brutality. This photo was taken during the San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2012. (Mike Morbeck/Wikimedia Commons)

For years, the African-American community has been asking and insisting that our professional athletes do more for our community. We ask them to give money towards initiatives and good causes, we ask them to be role models, and we ask them to stand up, speak up and speak out on issues affecting our community.

And yet, as you read this article today, there are pro football players that have taken a stance against oppression, police brutality and the killing of Black people by law enforcement officers all across this country. Yet, these athletes are under attack by the media, by “fans” who claim that they have ruined the game of football, because they will not stand during the national anthem … and yes, the players have even come under attack by the 45th occupant of the White House.

The Black Lives Matter movement and the many of the NFL players are standing up (or kneeling) for justice and “just us.” We are demanding justice for things that happen to just us. We demand justice for the racial profiling that happens to just us. We demand justice for the excessive force that is used against just us. And we are demanding justice, on behalf of millions of voiceless African-Americans all across the country, for the lives that have been lost as a result of law enforcement officers shooting us (unarmed, Black Americans) at alarming rates.

Numbers don’t lie, and videos don’t lie either. Black men are killed by police officers in extrajudicial shootings at much higher rates that far outweigh the rate of that White men are shot and killed by police officers, which indicates to me that these killings repeatedly happen to just us; and think about the number of videos that we have seen that show Black people gunned down, choked out, manhandled and beaten; while at the same time we see videos of Whites blatantly disrespecting police officers and daring them to do something to them, and those suspects are able to walk away unharmed.

In protesting these atrocities, Colin Kaepernick chose to take a knee during the national anthem, because he didn’t want to stand up for the flag of a country that oppresses Black people and people of color. In fact, Kaepernick was quoted as saying, “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

For taking such a stance, Kaepernick is no longer employed as an NFL player. We hear all the excuses about why he does not have a job as a quarterback in the NFL. You can believe the excuses if you want, but I would challenge you to answer this question: Do you honestly want to see Colin Kaepernick playing quarterback against your favorite team on Sunday? Your honest answer would probably be “No,” because despite any flaws or inconsistencies that he may have in his game, Colin Kaepernick is a game-changer. He is a legitimate dual-threat quarterback who can find his way to the end zone anytime he touches the ball.

So why is he unemployed? You can answer that question for yourself.

As a result of what many believe was the blackballing of Kaepernick by the NFL, many people across this country, many of them Black women, decided to boycott the NFL this season, and the boycott is and was successful, so much so that the NFL, mainstream media and the 45th occupant led people to believe that the low ratings of NFL games this season were a result of White men not watching the NFL, because Black players were protesting that national anthem. Then, the 45th occupant of the White House, in his puppeteering ways, stepped forward and said that the NFL should fire anyone who refuses to stand for the national anthem and accused those who chose to kneel during the national anthem of disrespecting the flag and being unpatriotic. Black folks took offense and I believe that they decided to watch the games in protest to “45.” I bet the ratings increased, too.

Now, fast-forward to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stating that players on his team, who do not stand for the national anthem will not play, and “45” praises him for doing so. Ironic? I don’t think so. Don’t let them fool you, “45” and NFL owners have been joined at the hip in the process from the very beginning. The 45th occupant of the White House carried the water of the NFL owners, helped sway some sort of public opinion against the players and now the owners feel empowered to bring down their oppressive hammers on the players. The 45th occupant of the White House will take credit for bringing “law and order” to the plantation, and the NFL owners will walk away with little or no blood on their hands.

The real story is that a handful of players have stood up for what they feel is right. Now the question is, what is the African-American community going to do to support them? Do you have the courage to turn the channel when your favorite team(s) play on Sunday? Do you have the courage to publicly tell people that you support the players who choose to take a knee for justice and not just us? Do you have the courage to proudly wear the jersey of Colin Kaepernick, Michael Bennett or any other player who chooses to kneel or sit during the national anthem? Do you have the courage to start your own personal social media campaign supporting those players who take a knee to say that Black lives matter just as much as any other lives in this country? Are you willing to show your unwavering support for those who are standing tall by taking a knee during the national anthem? Will you write a letter, email or tweet to the NFL, the 45th occupant of the White House and your congressional delegation expressing your concerns about this issue? Do you have the backbone to stand up and advocate for freedom, justice and equality for those who are no longer here to speak for themselves?

Don’t let the smokescreens fool you. The players have taken a very simple stance based on their principled beliefs. The NFL is taking a stance based on money, profits and financial interest. Until recently, NFL teams were not required to be on the field during the national anthem, but they changed their policy after receiving money from the government to do so.

Those who know me, know that I am a big fan of football and a lifelong fan of the Seattle Seahawks. However, while I support my favorite team, I also realize that there are things in life that are bigger than sports. I firmly believe that the value of a Black life is worth more than a victory by my team on Sunday, and more valuable than winning a playoff game or a championship. The message that the players are sending is about the most valuable commodity that we have — the value of life. We have the attention of the country, whether or not we leverage the sacrifices of the players to bring about true dialogue and solutions to the problem is up to us. The issue before us is not about disrespecting the flag, its about the senseless bloodshed that lies densely on the streets of communities across this country and the lack of justice that relates to issues that affect just us.

Like the song says, “Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud.” If you believe that Black lives matter, you should not be ashamed to show it. It’s up to our community to bring that narrative back to its original state. It’s not about the flag, its not about the NFL, its not about the 45th occupant of the White House. It’s about the disparate treatment of Black folks in this country, and why everybody — but us — wants to turn a blind eye to it. There are those oppressive souls that will continue to dilute the narrative, muddy the waters and try to silence the calls for justice. It is up to us, not the players, to pick up this torch, wave it as high as we can in the air, and refuse to lose our focus on the prize, because at the end of the day it’s not just about us, its about all of us!

For those of you who choose to protest, here is the best way (I believe) to do so: turn the channel during the NFL’s big three nights — Monday night, Thursday night and Sunday night football. It’s not enough to just turn your TV off and do some other activity. Turn to a channel owned by African-Americans during the games such as TV One (Cathy Hughes), Aspire (Magic Johnson) or OWN (Oprah Winfrey). This will send a clear message that African-Americans are turning away from football and will not allow anyone to spin that narrative. This not only shows that we are united in this fight, but it will also help these channels leverage our eyeballs into more advertising dollars and be able to bring additional culturally relevant programming to our community. It’s time to change the narrative from just us to justice, and you have the power to do it!

Through the eyes of an ink barrel, may peace be unto you.

Chris B. Bennett is an award-winning journalist and co-publisher of The Seattle Medium newspaper. Follow follow him on Twitter @The_inkbarrel.

]]>4 Reasons A Great Meal Is About How You Eat – Not What You Eathttp://dallasposttrib.com/2017/12/11/4-reasons-a-great-meal-is-about-how-you-eat-not-what-you-eat/
Mon, 11 Dec 2017 10:10:42 +0000http://dallasposttrib.com/?p=10954

Jane Bernard

Everyone knows it’s important to eat the right foods to live a long and healthy life, but many of us fall short of that ideal.

We eat on the run, pulling into a drive-through and scarfing down a hamburger on the way to the next appointment. We grab a candy bar at the grocery checkout and munch it on the way to the car.

And somewhere along the line we realize that just as you can’t judge a book by its cover, you can’t judge food by its taste, says Jane Bernard, an educator and author of Lucid Living in the Virtual Age (www.sensualthinking.com).

“We know that taste can be misleading, at least when it comes to what’s best for us,” she says. “People love donuts, but they don’t make a nutritious breakfast. Spinach isn’t popular with many people – especially children – but it’s beneficial to our health in many ways.”

But for Bernard, a great meal is less about what you eat than how you eat it. She advocates something she calls “intuitive eating” that’s aimed at improving every dining experience – and perhaps making for a healthier diet along the way.

“Intuitive eating is deceptively simple,” Bernard says. “Focus on one meal at a time to get the most pleasure and nutrition from your food. Notice what you see, smell and taste. Check in with your body to see if you’re really hungry – because sometimes we keep eating when it’s actually time to stop.”

Although you might find yourself shedding a few pounds, intuitive eating isn’t necessarily about losing weight, she says. It’s about getting more pleasure out of your meals – and getting more pleasure from the people you have meals with.

Bernard suggests a few exercises that can help turn you into an intuitive eater:

Smell food before putting it in your mouth. Nearly everyone has memories tied to the aroma of food. Perhaps it’s your mother baking cookies on Christmas Eve. Perhaps it’s hamburgers sizzling on a backyard grill. With most meals, people don’t take the time to savor the aroma, Bernard says. Does it smell inviting? Greasy? Fresh? Bad? “If the food doesn’t smell right, it isn’t,” Bernard says. “Let your nose protect you and help guide choices.”

Taste food as you chew. You may think you already do this, but too often people don’t really take time to enjoy the taste, Bernard says. They wolf down their food so they can move on to whatever is next on their agenda. Tasting food helps your body relax and digest more efficiently, she says.Tasting and savoring what you eat also is good for overall health.

Be thankful for your meal. Giving thanks doesn’t have to be limited to Thanksgiving. “Think about what food is giving you: energy, strength, health, nourishment and pleasure,” Bernard says. “If you take a little time to meditate on that, your body will relax and you will get more nourishment from your food.”

Give your stomach time to inform your brain. It takes 15 minutes before your brain gets the message from your stomach that you’ve eaten. That’s no doubt one reason people over eat. They don’t give their body time to get the message that they are getting full before gulping down even more food. “Take time to have conversations when you eat and you will eat less – and enjoy the meal more,” Bernard says.

“Eating is a necessity of life,” Bernard says. “But there’s no need to rush things. Eat just enough to feel good and trust that hunger will return and another meal will be found.”

About Jane BernardJane Bernard, author of Lucid Living in the Virtual Age (www.sensualthinking.com) and other books, is a philosopher and educator who writes and teaches about intuition and sensual thinking. She has appeared on TV and international radio, talking from the intuitive perspective. Jane introduced her first book, Fine Tuning, on The Montel Williams Show, in 2006. Her easy-going combination of common sense and originality is a natural eye-opener.

Lynette Monroe is a master’s student at Howard University. Her research area is public policy and national development. Ms. Monroe is the program assistant for the NNPA’s Every Student Succeeds Act Public Awareness Campaign.

By Lynette Monroe (Program Assistant, NNPA ESSA Media Campaign)

Education officials in Texas put a lot of work into the Every Student Succeeds Act state plan that they submitted to the Department of Education. We can all learn from what they included and what they chose not to include.

The Texas plan is supported by the strategic priorities of the Texas Education Agency (TEA). These priorities include: (1) recruiting, supporting, and retaining teachers and principals; (2) building a foundation of reading and math; (3) connecting high school to career and college; and (4) improving low-performing schools. TEA acknowledges these priorities require support and therefore list three prerequisites referred to as “enablers” for effective implementation of these strategies. These enablers include: (1) increased transparency; (2) ensuring compliance; and (3) the strengthening of organizational foundations.

Overall, Texas’s plan is designed to implement ESSA as Congress intended; allocating resources and funds according to need, closing the achievement gap, and increasing community partnerships. TEA states several long-term goals. The first, being that by the year 2030, sixty percent of Texans aged 25-34 will possess some form of post-secondary credentials. Another long-term goal is a 94 percent high school graduation rate. For English Language Learners, TEA proposes that by 2032, forty-six percent of students should be achieving English language proficiency. To support these long-term goals, Texas has established short-term targets in five-year intervals.

A major component of equitable resource allocation is the collection of data. TEA evaluates academic performance by ethnicity, economically disadvantaged, students receiving special education services, students formerly receiving special education services, English learners, continuously enrolled, and mobile. The minimum size for subgroup data reporting is 25. Data for subgroups 10 or smaller will be calculated using a three-year composite score. Considering the population of Texas metropolitan areas, it seems the subgroup size of 25 is appropriate. TEA will also periodically review the resource allocation process for local education agencies; which could include a review of per-pupil spending.

ESSA requires that schools use three academic measures and one non-academic school quality or student success measure to determine school achievement. TEA has chosen to use the “percentage of assessments at or above the Meets Grade Level standard for all students and student groups by subject” as their school quality and student success measure for elementary and secondary schools. For high schools, TEA will use college, career, and military readiness to include: students who earn dual credits; students who successfully complete AP Exams, students who are awarded associate’s degrees while in high school, students who enlist in the military, etc. These “non-academic” indicators are disappointing since the U.S. Department of Education encourages less emphasis on testing. Four of the six indicators of school success identified by TEA include an element of testing. Students deserve holistic education that values social development as well as academic achievement. Primarily focusing on test scores as a means of determining success devalues other important categories of intelligence, such as musical-rhythmic and harmonic abilities.

Texas does deserve praise for their inclusion of a “Closing the Gaps Domain” in their A-F accountability system. The Closing the Gaps Domain focuses on educational equity for all children; irrespective of ethnicity, economic status, or special education status. The Closing the Gaps domain must represent at least 30 percent of the overall school rating. Any school that has one or more significant gaps in achievement between subgroups will be identified for targeted support and improvement. TEA will also use a ranking system; comparing school progress to other schools with similar student demographics.

Texas also seems to have made every effort at establishing community partnerships by proposing numerous consultations under a variety of circumstances. Campuses that need comprehensive support or require even more rigorous interventions must undergo a district-led improvement plan. However, before any plan may be submitted the district must consult with parents and community members. TEA has also included parent and community feedback in their initiatives to reduce the risks of student drop-outs; the Texas Readers Initiative focuses on creating parental and public awareness while the redesign of school report cards assists parents in better understanding their child’s learning needs.

So, although school accountability measures focus primarily on testing, and support for a well-rounded curriculum like the promotion of the benefits of a free enterprise system, as well as, religious literature including “the Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament) and New Testament, and its impact on history and literature,” Texas made a concerted effort to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act according to the original intention of the law to allocate resources and funds according to need, close the achievement gap, and increase community partnerships.

Lynette Monroe is a master’s student at Howard University. Her research area is public policy and national development. Ms. Monroe is the program assistant for the NNPA’s Every Student Succeeds Act Public Awareness Campaign. Follow Lynette Monroe on Twitter @_monroedoctrine.

Conyers said in a statement Tuesday that he’s not being afforded “due process” to defend himself against sexual harassment allegations made by former staff members. He’s also citing his “current health conditions” as a factor in his decision to step down.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat, read the statement from the 88-year-old Conyers on the floor of the House. She served with Conyers on the House Judiciary Committee.

Conyers says he’s been a champion for the oppressed and the disenfranchised, and that he “never wavered in (his) commitment to justice and democracy.”

Conyers says he hopes his retirement will be viewed in the “larger perspective” of his more than 50 years as a lawmaker.

Diabetes doesn’t always have symptoms. Many people will develop diabetes and not know. Don’t be one of them.

According to the American Diabetes Association, someone is diagnosed with diabetes every 23
seconds. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. But experts say that many people aren’t aware that Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented.

You may be at risk for Type 2 diabetes if:
• You are overweight
• You smoke
• You have high blood pressure
• You are not active
• You have high cholesterol
• You eat a diet high in fat and simple carbohydrates

Finding out if you’re at risk for developing diabetes will help you make some changes to live a
healthier life. You can find out if you’re at risk by taking a simple test atwww.ParklandDiabetes.com/DiabetesTest.

If you have diabetes, it’s important to get all of the facts so you can learn to manage it. Diabetes
is common and many people, including 11 percent of Dallas County residents, have it. Since the
disease can be “silent” you may have had it or have prediabetes for many years without knowing
it. You may feel fine and are able to work while diabetes is causing harm to your body without your knowledge.

Learning the basics about diabetes is the first step to getting the disease under control. If you
want to learn more about preventing and managing diabetes, go to www.ParklandDiabetes.com to
find information on what diabetes is, healthy recipes, places in Dallas to exercise, grocery stores
and more.

DALLAS — Students and staff at Dallas ISD’s Thomas J. Rusk Middle School got the answer they wanted to hear on Thursday, Nov. 30.

After a thorough review, Rusk once again earned a designation as an AVID National Demonstration School. This time, the renewed certification won’t expire for three years, which is the longest time period granted.

The announcement came in a pep rally-type setting, with Rusk cheerleaders and the band setting an exciting tone. Mike Mozingo’s confirmation of the recertification made students and staff in the school auditorium cheer.

“You are a very good school,” said Mozingo, a program manager for AVID in Texas. “To be a National Demonstration School, you have to do AVID very well.”

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, and its techniques give students the tools they need to succeed academically. That includes such things as teaching them how to take effective notes in class to learning how to be organized by using a detailed binder for all their schoolwork. The end goal is to make students college-ready. Several Dallas ISD schools offer the AVID program.

Being a National Demonstration School means that Rusk’s program exhibits best practices, and will be an example other schools in the region can visit to see what it takes to implement a high-level AVID program.

Principal Juan Cordoba credited AVID students and staff for putting in the hard work necessary to renew the certification.

Rusk is in its first year as an ACE (Accelerating Campus Excellence) school, a district effort that staffs academically struggling schools with experienced, proven educators and also requires an added commitment from students and parents to strive for excellence.

Cordoba called the AVID recertification a big win, and it is among many others sure to follow.